Ronnie Vannucci's Killers drum setup in pictures

The Killers' sticksman shows off his live kit

Ronnie Vannucci's Killers drum setup in pictures

Standing over his kit, his lanky frame flailing at the wide array of gleaming cymbals around his Corvette-red kit, Ronnie Vannucci is finishing in style.

Again. As The Killers complete their third encore at the intimate Leeds gig with their rousing hit ‘When You Were Young’, Ronnie is grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, hurling sticks into the crowd then disappearing momentarily to return with a whole bundle of them to distribute to his fans.

Rhythm feels privileged to be at the Leeds 02 Academy for this fans’ gig in a venue the like of which The Killers’ fame rarely enables them to play now.

Earlier, Rhythm met up with Ronnie for an interview, a squeak in time before the band were due on stage. A lengthy motorway delay for the band meant a hastily-executed photoshoot at Ronnie’s kit - Rhythm literally bustling past Brandon Flowers and the others the second they finish sound-check to get set up on stage - and an interview conducted in the noisy environs of the venue’s catering.

The kit

The Killers are all about the big pop/rock songs, how do you manage to put tons of flair and musicality into your playing while still very much playing for the song?

“I’m just naturally a show-off! But I think when you’re writing songs, in that mindset that’s what I’m thinking about. I’m not thinking can I do a flam five or a six-stroke tap here or wow them with my prowess.”

How do you see your development as a player over the course of the four Killers albums?

“Hopefully I’ve just become a better listener. I think more than playing, listening is probably paramount. I think if you listen and you’re able to understand where a song is going and understand yourself you can make good decisions.”

Plus...

The music industry has changed a lot even in the time you’ve been making records, how do you think players starting out now can make a success of drumming?

“I think if you’re going to be a drummer and you want to make yourself valuable you need to learn other instruments. I know for a fact that Bernie Dresel for instance gets gigs, TV show gigs and movie gigs and stuff because he knows how to play other percussion instruments. And he’ll get the gig over someone who just does drumset.

“I don’t care how good you are, knowing more than just drumset will always get you the gig and it will make you a better player in the end. It’s all about understanding the instrument. Drums, especially in pop music, it’s a support role. So in order to be the best type of supporter, I think you should garner an understanding of who you’re playing with.”